I know there is the great "have a sook" thread but.... mine is more than a sook.

Got a 1200 coupe that i was getting sprayed and body work done (quoted at $5500) and at local place but the place closed down he charged me $2500 cos the car was up to to final coat stage. Just as this happened a new place opened when they got the car they discovered dents that weren't taken out properly and original paint still flaking of under the cheap primer the new guy has quoted 5000+ for the job bringing the total to $7500

Is it worth spending this a 1200 coupe (are they that rare)

sometimes you just gotta cut and run

I guess you live out in the country.. That means you are limited for choice.

I think $5000+ for a paintjob is a bit expensive, unless you are really looking for a 'grade A' bare metal job.

Dents not taken out properly ? Sounds like an excuse to rip you off a second time. Ever watched an episode of pimp my ride? Bog/Bondo is their best friend.

The first bloke closed down because he used incompetant labour...and the second guy knows you are desperate to get the car finished.

If there is paint flaking off underneath the primer..the first guy ripped you off. He's not in business anymore so you can't whinge too much about that.

It may be cheaper for you to spend $5000 on a low milage coupe, that still has good factory paint. I keep seeing them around for sale. I've done a couple of rebuild, and I now recognize that the smart people buy a really straight and original car to start with. That can halve the project costs.

Quote:

Sorry are you saying spend the money or just sell it?

A little out of the sqaure - spend $400 and an air compressor, a few hundred on paint and body filler, maybe $600 on a mig welder and $300 on a body working course....and do it yourself.

It would probably cost you a couple of $1000 in materials and tools - but at least you could get the job done right.

With the other $3000 by something nice as your daily driver so you can spend the next year fixing up your 1200.

Yer got all that gear an tried it. Got to have the right day, no dust etc. To much chance for error rather pay someone to do it as they have more experiance than me. Does anyone know what a really good coupe is worth? I saw on or 3100 on trading post but it looked well used.

ok, maybe cut and run is more a yank phrase

it means don't invest anymore time, money or effort

americans are familar with the saying because of the iraq war

I always thought it was a british phrase. Cut your losses and go on with life.

If the right day is a trouble I've seen those portable type carports at supercheap for around $200 - you can get a roof and walls for it - make like an el cheapo spray booth....I'm thinking of doing that myself in the future.

Not sure if they have them near yourself, but in Melbourne you can hire a spray booth (pay by the hour) if you don't feel you have the correct environment.